Foreign Office relaxes advice to Cairo and Giza pyramids

The change means that Egypt’s ancient buildings, its museums and capital city can return to ordinary holidaymakers’ itineraries.

The Egypt page of the Foreign Office travel advice website now states: “The FCO no longer advise against all but essential travel to Cairo Governorate and Greater Cairo including Giza 6th October City and the Giza Pyramids (which are part of the Giza Governorate).”

Travel warnings were first put in place in July following the overthrowing of the former president Mohamed Morsi, forcing tour operators to put package trips on hold and leaving independent travellers struggling to secure insurance.

Egypt's Red Sea resorts, including Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Hurghada, were the only places that remained unaffected by Foreign Office advice since the upheaval.

The change in advice means many such organised trips will be able to resume, and those travelling alone may find insurers more willing to cover them.

The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, and all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, excluding the Red Sea resorts and the St Catherine’s Monastery World Heritage Site.

Two people died during protests in Cairo on November 19, and the Foreign Office strongly advises tourists “to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and be alert for signs of tension. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately.”

At the beginning of this month, Egyptian tourist officials announced plans to stream live webcam footage from the country to show potential visitors that it is safe.